Refrigerated Transport System Testing

Abstract

A method involves inspecting/testing a refrigeration system. One or more conduits or other components cooperate with the compressor, heat rejection heat exchanger, expansion device, and heat absorption heat exchanger to define a refrigerant flowpath. The inspecting/testing method comprises placing a plurality of collars over respective joints along the refrigerant flowpath. The collars each define a space that may be exposed to one or more sensors. Based upon input from the sensors, the presence or absence of leaks at the joints is determined.

1 . A refrigeration system comprising:
 a compressor ( 120 );   a heat rejection heat exchanger ( 128 ) coupled to the compressor to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor;   an expansion device ( 144 ) coupled to the heat rejection heat exchanger to expand refrigerant received from the heat rejection heat exchanger;   a heat absorption heat exchanger ( 128 ) coupled to the expansion device to receive refrigerant expanded by the expansion device and, in turn, coupled to the compressor to return refrigerant to the compressor;   one or more conduits ( 126 ,  134 ,  138 ,  142 ,  146 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ) or other components cooperating with the compressor, heat rejection heat exchanger, expansion device, and heat absorption heat exchanger to define a refrigerant flowpath; and   a plurality of collars ( 202 ;  203 ) over respective joints ( 190 ) along the refrigerant flowpath, the collars each defining a chamber ( 510 ) around the associated joint.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the collars each have a port ( 204 ). 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the collars each have a split body ( 220 ,  222 ). 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein:
 two halves ( 220 ,  222 ) of the split body are spring-biased ( 226 ) into a closed condition. 
 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 4  wherein:
 the two halves are hinged and, opposite the hinge on the halves the collar includes a pair of finger levers ( 230 ;  232 ) positioned to be compressed toward each other to open the body. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein:
 the split body is resinous. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an engine ( 30 ); 
 an electric generator ( 32 ) mechanically coupled to the engine to be driven by the engine, the compressor ( 120 ) electrically coupled to the generator to be powered by the generator; 
 at least one first electric fan ( 129 ) positioned to drive an airflow across the heat rejection heat exchanger and coupled to the generator to receive electric power from the generator; 
 at least one second electric fan ( 149 ) positioned to drive an airfoil across the heat absorption heat exchanger and coupled to the generator to receive electric power from the generator; and 
 a controller ( 100 ) coupled to the compressor and fans. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 at least one said joint is a braze joint. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method for inspecting a refrigeration system, the system comprising:
 a compressor ( 120 );   a heat rejection heat exchanger ( 128 ) coupled to the compressor to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor;   an expansion device ( 144 ) coupled to the heat rejection heat exchanger to expand refrigerant received from the heat rejection heat exchanger;   a heat absorption heat exchanger ( 128 ) coupled to the expansion device to receive refrigerant expanded by the expansion device and, in turn, coupled to the compressor to return refrigerant to the compressor; and   one or more conduits ( 126 ,  134 ,  138 ,  142 ,  146 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ) or other components cooperating with the compressor, heat rejection heat exchanger, expansion device, and heat absorption heat exchanger to define a refrigerant flowpath;   
       the method comprising:
 placing a plurality of collars ( 202 ;  203 ) over respective joints ( 190 ) along the refrigerant flowpath, the collars each defining a space; exposing one or more sensors to the space; and 
 based upon input from the sensors, determining the presence or absence of leaks at the joints. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein:
 the collars are split collars and the placing comprises assembling two halves of each split collar over the associated joint and clamping the halves together. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 the closing comprises a self-sprung spring clamping. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein:
 the sensors are chemical sensors. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 charging the system with a fluid comprising at least 50% N 2 , by weight, and less than 10% H by weight. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 at least one said leak is determined by chemical detection of the hydrogen leaking from a said joint. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein:
 the collars each have a port ( 204 ); and 
 the exposing comprises sequentially placing a probe ( 206 ) having said one or more sensors ( 208 ) in communication with the port of the respective collars. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising assembling the refrigeration system to a refrigerated compartment ( 26 ) positioned to be cooled by the heat absorption heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . A refrigerant system testing collar for testing a joint along a line in a refrigeration system, the collar comprising:
 a port ( 204 ) for coupling to a sensor probe; and   a pair of ports ( 240 ; 244 ) for accommodating the refrigerant line.